A proposal to guide in "terra incognita" How can elite athletes and para-athletes (hereafter referred as "athletes") manage the return to performance by minimizing injury risk after this lockdown period due to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic? We assume that, beyond the health-related clinical consequences of COVID-19 and/or lockdown - including COVID-19-related risk of cardiopulmonary decompensation - and despite efforts to maintain overall fitness (e.g., training initiatives, nutritional and sleep) without compromising their immune system and mental health, athletes may be at higher risk of injury when they will return to normal training and sport performance. We therefore aim to propose practical tips to help athletes in this challenging come back. Athletes constitute a unique cohort of individuals facing this specific challenge such as potential infection susceptibility due to training, difficulty to execute highly-skilled movements, reduced interactions with coaches and access to training facilities, or competition rescheduling, in addition to adherence to universal guidelines for social distancing and personal hygiene. Given the absence of historical and scientific references to guide athletes` return to performance following COVID-19 lockdown, stakeholders should rely on "indirect" detraining, space/bedrest and injury-related knowledge, by taking into account each athlete`s status and lockdown situation.
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